The BankAtlantic Center. The Ft. Lauderdale suburb of Sunrise, Florida. Home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. A team that hasn't made the playoffs in 10 years. They came close to winning it all once, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996, only to be defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.
Despite lack of recent success, the 'Cats still managed to draw at least some fans. For tonight's game, attendance was expectedly low. But one fan stood out. A man who one would not expect to say "hockey" if asked what he's interested in.
This man is none other than the Wild Card. The former WWE United States Champion. Simply the greatest.
Orlando Jordan.
Had Orlando ever been to a hockey game? Probably not. But he was here tonight, thanks to a friend who had been following the team since their 1996 run. It was a day off for Mr. Jordan, and being the kind of guy who doesn't mind trying new things, he took his friend's offer for an extra ticket to today's game.
This early February tilt was expected to be a spirited matchup between the mediocre Panthers, and the struggling yet recently hot St. Louis Blues. With TJ Oshie and David Perron just returning from injuries, south Florida hockey fans were not expecting an easy battle.
But enough of those trivial details. Fast-forward to gametime.
In the middle of the first period, the Blues took an early lead. A timely wristshot from Czech Republic native Vladimir Sobotka sent the puck past fellow Czech goalie Tomas Vokoun, and put the Blues ahead, 1-0.
Why is this relevant? Well, after the goal was scored and play continued, the announcement was made. "Saint Louis goal, scored by number 17, Vladimir Sobotka."
Boos filled the air of the arena. Orlando felt obligated to join in. Until he saw the Czech-born player's photo on the jumbotron above the ice. "Heeeeyyy..." he said.
Orlando was so intrigued by Vladimir's cute/sexy fusion of a smile, he didn't notice Florida's Dennis Wideman practically destroy David Backes with a hit that instantly changed the boos to "ohhhh"s and cheers.
Skip to the first intermission. While in line for a hot dog, a fan happened to notice Mr. Jordan, and approached him.
"Hey, I know you. Orlando Jordan!"
"Heh, yeah that's me," Orlando chuckled. "How's it going, man?"
"Same ol, same ol for a Panthers fan, heh. But whatever. I just love being here, supporting my 'Cats. Which, I didn't realize you were a fan of?"
"Nah," Orlando corrected. "Hockey's not really my thing, but a buddy had an extra ticket, and I have nothing to do today, so, y'know. But I'm having a good time, I can see myself coming to more of these when I get the chance."
"That's cool, man." the fan said.
"Hey, um..." Orlando took a slight pause after more small talk. "Would you happen to know where the players go after games, or what they do? Particularly the away teams, there's a player I wouldn't mind meeting, if you catch my drift...."
"There's a hotel just off North U. that the away teams stay in. I could give you directions after the game if you'd like."
Orlando was only too happy to accept such an offer.
The next morning, Orlando found himself at the hotel, patiently waiting. Then, he saw him out of the corner of his eye. Vladimir Sobotka, entering with linemate Alex Steen. They parted ways, the Swede going back to the room, the Czech heading to the mini-bar for something to munch on.
As he sat to enjoy some pineapple and check for text messages, Orlando approached...
"'Scuse me, Mr. Sobotka?" He had a little trouble getting that out, Vladimir was even more handsome in person.
"Hey, stranger," the Czech responded in a sexy central European accent that practically gave Orlando chills. "What can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to say, I was at yesterday's game. I liked what I saw from you. Really impressed me."
"Well thank you, I appreciate that. Please, take a seat" Sobotka said with a smile.
"My name's Orlando. Orlando Jordan. I'm not much of a hockey fan, but after last night, I think I could be converted," he chuckled, drawing a smile from Vladimir.
"Y'know, I don't want to impose, or make myself sound weird or anything, but are you on some kind of schedule today?"
"Not really, our next game isn't for a few days, so the Blues are here for at least one more day. I believe we depart tomorrow."
"I see. I was just curious." getting a nod in the affirmative from Sobotka.
After a slight pause, and some more small talk, Orlando decided to cut the crap and see what else he could do.
"So.... has anyone ever told you... you're kinda cute?"
The expression (and blush) on Vladimir's face made his feelings of awkwardness and slight shock only too apparent. "Um, on occasion, but it typically comes from girls. No offence to you of course, I'm still flattered" he responded, with a slight giggle
"I'm sorry if that sounded a little weird. I just couldn't help but notice..."
"It's cool. I don't mind," Vladimir reassured, with a bit of a smile.
The conversation dragged on until the afternoon. Vladimir had never really done this with a fan before, but he was enjoying it. One of the perks of being a professional hockey player.
They eventually headed out, taking the conversation to the streets of Sunrise.
Though Orlando was an athlete, skating was not his strong spot. So upon telling this to Vladimir, he took him to a community rink not far from the hotel. They rented skates, laced up, and took to the ice.
Orlando struggled, as he expected. Jokingly, he said "Man, now I know why black guys don't play hockey..."
To which Sobotka responded, "There are a lot more than people think!" with a chuckle.
Orlando fell down a lot, but Vladimir was always there to help him back to his feet and give him pointers. One could say he was "hands-on" in his teachings, so to speak.
Once Orlando was able to stand and balance on his own, the conversations became more frequent, and one might say, intimate. It's like they were becoming fast friends in a matter of hours.
After a few hours of skating, tripping, and laughing, they exited to the locker room. Orlando was having a hard time speaking at this point. Vladimir was speaking less as well, but Orlando was sure that was nothing to be concerned about.
Orlando wanted nothing more than to get even closer to him, hold him close, wrap his arms around his smaller body, and just kiss the Czech endlessly. Among other things...
But how would Vladimir react, Orlando pondered. They were practically alone, they were the only ones here. Slow day. But still, as close as they were getting, he couldn't just lay one on him right then and there. What if he-
He stopped thinking abruptly. His questions had been answered in a split-second. Vladimir leaned over, put his hand on Orlando's broad shoulder, and pressed his lips against those of the larger athlete. Orlando could hardly believe it, but he went along with it. He placed his hand just below the back of Vlad's neck, and the other on his lower back.
Vladimir's hand moved from Orlando's shoulder to his toned chest. He put his hand on the zipper of Orlando's jacket, pulled it down, and fumbled around with it, in an attempt to take it off. He wasn't really successful, he was using one hand. But you can't blame a Czech for trying. He put his hand up the larger wrestler's shirt and rubbed against the front of his dark, chisled body. With the other, he caressed Orlando's toned leg.
Orlando pulled the smaller Vladimir closer, and felt yesterday's goalscorer grinding against him, pressing him against the steel locker, lightly running his fingers through Orlando's long, dark, soft, braided hair. Orlando ran his hands through Sobotka's equally soft, blonde hair as their tounges met up and did a little dance.
He practically gasped for air when Vladimir stopped to slowly run his tounge from his upper chest to his neck, stopping there to press his lips firmly against the neck of the Wild Card.
This went on for around a minute. They both stopped simultaneously to catch a breather. Good thing, too. A second after they put a foot of distance between them, soembody entered the locker room.
This was not what Orlando had expected, but he loved every second of it. And apparently, so did Vladimir. "Not bad for your first try on the ice," he said to not sound suspicious to the new occupant.
"That wasn't what I thought would happen, but I sure ain't complaining" he said with a chuckle. Vladimir was blushing heavily, but not from the cold ice they had spent the better part of three hours on. Orlando could see a small bead or two of sweat protruding from the top side of Vladimir's head.
"We should do this again the next time we're in the area," the Blue said.
"I'd love that," replied Orlando. He would have said something completely different and not-so-subtle. And so would Vladimir, really. But the other skater in the room prevented that.
They pulled up to the hotel around 10 minutes later.
"It's a shame the Blues and Panthers are in different conferences. We don't get many games together. But I see Florida as a nice spot to relax during the offseason, when we're all off..."
"I wrestle all year 'round, but I'm sure I could make some time. Catch a break, y'know."
They spoke for a minute or two longer. Before they parted ways, they shared one last brief yet passionate kiss.
"Consider adding Fox Sports Midwest to your channel lineup, most of our games are on there," Sobotka advised. Orlando nodded in the affirmative, and begins the journey to central Florida to wrap up his break from wrestling, and call his cable provider....
